Gloster Gladiator whiffs

[NARSES2]

That's glorious 

[Rheged]

That's glorious 

So that's what a Gloster Glorious looked like!

[SleeperService]

I've been thinking about a Gladiator float-plane recently and have just got home with an old Testors S.6B from the charity shop. The floats look about right and the weight is good too S.6B 6086lb, Gladiator 4594lb. BUT....
Even those will be draggy so any thoughts on using a Twin Wasp and 3 blade HS prop for extra take-off power and reliability? I'm thinking the engine could come from a damaged Martlet with Glosters tapping Supermarine for float assistance. There was apparently a plan for a Gladiator (and Lysander) float-plane to go with the Spitfire and Hurricane versions for the Norway campaign.

The last piece is what they could be used for, any ideas welcomed.

[Dizzyfugu]

 


1:72 Gloster Gladiator Mk. II floatplane conversion; aircraft '461'/ 'Tubarão' of the Esquadrilha de Caça No. 3, Portuguese Aéronautica Militar; Lajed (Azores), 1949 (Whif/modified Matchbox kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

[SleeperService]

I've seen that rather nice aircraft before and it was part of the reason I wanted to do something similar. I didn't spot the new prop though. That looks too good not to try on mine. 

I've just seen the instructions for Eduard's 1/48 Wildcat which has three sets of cowls so I think I have a plan.

[ericr]

 

[zenrat]

I Love me a spot of Necromancy...

During a podcast i was listening to today (We Have Ways of Making You Talk: The Seige of Malta) James Holland stated that the Gladiators operating from Malta were modified by ground crew with the end result being that they could climb faster than a Hurricane.  Mods were said to include engine tuning and replacing parts.

Anyone have any more information?  All i can find is a reference to one being fitted with an engine and prop from a Blenheim.  This could improve performance given the Blenheim used a more powerfull Mercury and a three bladed variable pitch prop - but would it be enough to beat a Hurricane to altitude?

[PR19_Kit]

In standard from the Gladiator had a wing loading of 14.2 lbs/sq ft and the Hurricane had 29.8 lbs/sq ft.

Their standard climb rates were 2300 ft/min v 2780 ft/min, and with 100 more bhp the Gladiator could have managed it I reckon.

[jcf]

Rate of climb is affected by air density, which is in turn affected by temperature and humidity.
The higher the temperature and relative humidity the lower the density which will reduce the
rate of climb. Higher temperature lower density air directly reduces power output and reduces
lift. Thus it's very possible that a hot-rodded Gladiator could climb faster than a Hurricane in
the right conditions.